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Available on all major book vendor websites & through the publisher: http://www.greenwood.com/catalog/GR3077.aspx The book offers a window into the history of the Middle East in the 20th century, discussing topics such as the two World Wars, British colonialism, the Cold War, and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Unique insights into Iraqi history are provided through discussions of the persecution of Iraq’s Jewish and Kurdish communities, the economic development of Iraq, and the nature of Baathism. The book also devotes attention to Iraqi cultural history, examining the imbricated nature of art, architecture, fiction, film and politics. Drawing on US diplomatic documents, the book traces Saddam’s long and complicated relationship with American policy makers. Reviews of Saddam Hussein: A Biography: “Hussein became Iraq's president in 1979, where he held power through terrorism into modern times. His reign was marked by three wars until he was overthrown by the US: Shiva Balaghi’s biography Saddam Hussein details lesser-known aspects of his personal life, from a difficult childhood and politically charged teen years to his involvement in politics and rise to power. His rule and its effects will be felt for decades, which makes Saddam Hussein: A Biography more than of passing interest.” “[T]races Saddam Hussein's life from his childhood in Tikrit until his capture by US troops in April of 2003. The author attempts to show how lessons learned from Saddam's difficult childhood would later be applied to his understanding of Ba'thism, pan-Arabism, and method of rule.” |
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Shiva Balaghi, Associate Director and Outreach Coordinator of the Kevorkian Center, has written this biography of Saddam Hussein to be used as a textbook for upper level high school and introductory college level courses. Explaining her approach, Balaghi said, “Though this book is, at a basic level, a biography of Saddam Hussein, it situates key moments of his life within the larger history of Iraq. As a historian, it is perhaps natural that I would embed the life of a single man within the context of broader events and movements.” 